SLOOP RETURNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 12

SLOOP RETURNS

HAURAKI GULF EXERCISES MOVEMENTS OF WELLINGTON After five days of exercises in the Hauraki Gulf, the Imperial sloop. H.M.S. Wellington, commanded by Commander J. B. E. Hall, returned to Auckland yesterday morning. During her absence in the gulf, the vessel carried out various gunnery practices, with both sub-calibre and full-calibre firing. Practically her entire armament was in use at different times., this being the first occasion on which the guns have been fired since last December, when the Admiralty tests were made. During the exercises a high-angle shoot was fired at an aerial target towed by the Fairey lIIF seaplane from the Hobsonville air base, while the antiaircraft machine guns were used in another exercise. Other practices included a "submarine shoot" at a target towed by the Admiralty trawler Wakakura and a night shoot with the aid of searchlights. The comment of other officers, that the gulf makes oue of the finest sheltered areas in the world for naval exercises, was endorsed by Commander Hall, who said there appeared to be a wealth of perfectly sheltered anchorages. The exercises, he added, had proved highly satisfactory.

The Wellington will go into dock at Devonport for a week's overhaul before her departure on July 15 on her first Island cruise.